The National Sports Authority (NSA) has lifted the ban on professional boxing in Ghana, effective today, Thursday, November 6.

The Authority on September 24 placed a ban on boxing and all other boxing-related activities following the death of rising boxer,  Ernest Akushey aka “Bahubali” on Tuesday, September 23.

Consequently, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, announced during an appearance on Ultimate FM that no professional bout will be held until investigations into Bahubali’s death are finalised.

After a month and a week into the ban, NSA in a statement issued yesterday, that, “The National Sports Authority (NSA) is pleased to announce that the suspension on professional boxing in Ghana is set to be lifted officially on Thursday, November 6th 2025, following successful consultations with Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) overseeing the sports normalization process”.

This follows a successful approval of enhanced medical, safety, insurance and administrative protocols to ensure the sports normalisation and restore the sport’s heritage and reputation.

“The IMC has reported significant progress in addressing the key issues that led to the suspension, particularly the strengthening of medical and safety protocols, as well as improvements in governance and administrative structures. This marks a major step toward restoring Ghana's illustrious and proud boxing heritage”, parts of the statement read.

NSA commended the IMC, athletes, and industry stakeholders for their cooperation and patience throughout the sport’s normalisation period.

“The NSA commends the IMC, athletes, boxing stakeholders, and the entire sporting community for their patience, diligence and cooperation during this period of reform. The Authority looks forward to a vibrant return of professional boxing and also encourages local as well as foreign promoters investors to bring international bouts and collaborations to Ghana under these enhanced standards,” the statement added.

However, the sports governing agency listed six key reforms (core pillars) that form the foundation of the new professional boxing framework in Ghana

“In the coming days and weeks, there will be education and regular engagements to roll out new exciting partnerships aimed at uplifting the general well-being of Ghanaian boxers and the sports brand. The core pillars include, published medical and safety manuals, codes, and regulations, functional interim medical commission, centralized medical database, approved insurance framework, sustainable medical support system, certified ringside and medical staff,” NSA said.

Meanwhile, the NSA boss also questioned why Akushey had been allowed to engage in multiple bouts in the last 12 to 24 months.

"Ernest Akushey is said to have fought in multiple bouts over the past 12-24 months, which shouldn't have happened," he added.

Some reports suggest that doctors have confirmed Akushey died from internal bleeding and malaria.

According to reports from James Town TV and Africabox Showup, Ernest Akushey gave up the ghost today, Tuesday, September 23, after he was rushed to the LEKMA hospital following complaints of undisclosed symptoms on Monday.

The symptoms are said to have worsened, and around 2 am the following day he was confirmed dead.

Bahubali's death comes barely a week after he suffered a thrashing defeat in a bout with rising opponent Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena, which took place on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Fans braved early morning rain to attend the event at Bukom Boxing Arena, which was part of the “Monaco – The Night To Prove” boxing showcase.

According to reports, the bout appeared to have favoured Akishey’s opponent as he dominated right from the beginning until he clinched his victory when the final bell rang with an eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).

Widely circulated videos of the fight showed Akushey struggling under relentless pressure, sparking sympathy among fans even before the tragic news of his death.

Consequently, many have speculated that the heavy punches he received during his last fight might have caused him some internal injuries, which have led to his death. However, the family has presented no official autopsy report to support this claim.

A video which was trending on social media after Akushey’s death captures former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey talking to Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey after the bout with Dickson. It was about time he decided, as he wasn’t fit enough to continue in the sport, which warned him of imminent health problems.“Bahubali, it's about time that you made a decision. I have told you to stop boxing. The reason I told you that is because I know you feed from boxing. I don't know when you started fighting, but up to where you have gotten to now. But you need to make a decision and know what you're doing because those small punches in the games, and you're falling. You're going to many wars, and you might not realise the effects today, but in the future, when you grow,” he warned.

According to reports, Akushey collapsed after his bout with Dickson, with many speculating that their bout was a mismatch and a one-sided affair given the dominance of Akushey’s opponent right from the start to finish.

Akushey, who rose through the ranks at the Wadada Gym in James Town, was once an undefeated prospect with a 6-0-0 record.

He earned his “Bahubali” moniker from his ferocious, crowd-pleasing style, likened to the warrior hero in the Indian blockbuster film.

“Bahubali’s” death marks the second case at Bukom. The first death linked to Bukom was that of a Nigerian, Segun "Success" Olanrewaju, who died after collapsing in the ring in the middle of a professional bout with a Ghanaian opponent, Jon Mbanug, at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night, March 29, at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, where the 40-year-old fighter Olanrewaju, a former holder of both the Nigerian and West African light-heavyweight titles, had been putting on a strong performance before suddenly losing consciousness mid-fight.

Spectators and officials watched in horror as medical personnel rushed in to provide emergency assistance.

A widely shared video of the match shows the moment he collapsed, leaving fans and members of the boxing community in shock.